However, instead of sulking, the Northern Colorado defensive tackle took his anger out on the football field and channeled it into a prominent role on the Bears’ defensive line.

Now Urbaniak is making the most of his opportunity, something the redshirt freshman hopes to continue to do Saturday when the Bears take on No. 13 Northern Arizona in a Big Sky Conference matchup.

The Bears will need Urbaniak and the rest of the defensive line Saturday against one of the best FCS running backs in Zach Bauman, who is eighth in the country in rushing (127 yards per game). Last year against UNC, he not only rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns, he caught five passes for 121 yards and another score in the Lumberjacks’ 34-14 victory.

The Bears will be hoping that Urbaniak can help prevent a repeat performance. In the last two games, the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Urbaniak has played a significant role, including in last week’s 52-14 victory over Idaho State. Against the Bengals, he had a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a sack and a tackle for loss.

The previous week against Cal Poly in his first start, Urbaniak finished with six tackles, tied for third on the team.

Not bad for a guy who started the season on the scout team.

“I was a little mad about that at the beginning of the year, but we had some injuries and I just kept practicing hard and I got my chance,” Urbaniak said.

He has been a blessing for a defensive line that has been decimated by injuries, including the loss of defensive end Devontae Chapple.

UNC defensive tackle Lexington Smith has been impressed with how quickly Urbaniak has developed.

“I have seen him grow from a boy to a man in just a few short weeks,” Smith said. “He has definitely come through in the clutch for us. We are definitely proud of the way he has been playing.”

So is defensive line coach James Jones.

“He has definitely been sharpening his skills daily,” Jones said. “He is a student of the game. He is constantly kind of asking questions about the intricate details.”

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